Hospitals across England are grappling with supply disruptions for widely-used medications, according to findings from freedom of information requests conducted by Dr Rodolfo Catena of University College London. The affected drugs include aspirin, used for pain relief and blood clot prevention; co-codamol, a painkiller combining paracetamol and codeine; and ramipril, a blood pressure medication.
Of the 184 trusts contacted, 60 provided data on their supply levels for these three medications. Aspirin experienced the most widespread disruptions, with 26 of 42 responding trusts reporting supply problems between last December and March this year. Thirteen of 42 trusts reported shortages of co-codamol, with some facilities experiencing disruptions lasting multiple months. Seven of 43 trusts reported difficulties obtaining adequate ramipril supplies. One facility, Kent community health NHS trust, encountered shortages of all three medications simultaneously.
Pharmacy professionals have characterized the situation as a national crisis, noting that supply chain vulnerabilities stem from trade disputes, global conflicts, and manufacturing challenges. Nearly all responding trusts—92 percent—reported having no contingency plans for managing supply disruptions, and 82 percent indicated they had not reported their shortages to NHS England. The supply problems increasingly affect generic medications rather than specialist drugs, marking a shift from previous shortage patterns.
Dr. Catena has called for systemic changes, including requiring NHS trusts to report anticipated shortages in addition to pharmaceutical companies. He has also questioned NHS England’s current risk assessment, which rates drug scarcities as a medium-level threat. Some trusts have taken independent action, including paying premium prices to secure uninterrupted medication supplies.
The Department of Health and Social Care stated it is working with suppliers to resolve shortages and has implemented serious shortage protocols for ramipril. A spokesperson indicated that most UK-licensed medicines remain in adequate supply and that the government is investing in domestic manufacturing capacity.
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